Drought Cuts China's Crops, Electric Power

PEKING — A long drought in south and central China has affected huge areas of cropland and cut hydroelectric power output, the New China News Agency reported Saturday. The agency said about 25 million acres of farmland were afflicted with drought, which has prevented the sowing of late autumn crops, affecting grain production.

The flow of China's major rivers has also been reduced, with the Yangtze's flow reduced 16% and the Yellow River down 40%. In contrast, northeastern China has had its heaviest rainfall in several decades.